Dinner fundraisers will help Haiti

Of all the calls for donations after Haiti's devastating earthquake, here's one that's particularly compelling.

On the surface, it looks like a lot of other fundraisers: Rio Grill Brazilian Steakhouses in Clovis and Visalia are hosting two benefit dinners for the American Red Cross Central Valley. All the profits from both nights will go to Haiti relief efforts, says Rio Grill co-owner Britney Hatch.

Such events are not unusual. On Feb. 3, Daily Grill restaurants -- including the one at Palm and Nees avenues -- will donate 100% of proceeds from four dishes to the Red Cross and Partners in Health. (For more information about this Haiti fundraiser and other local ones, go to my blog.)

While it's great for businesses to help for a day or two, Hatch's family has been involved with Haiti since the early 2000s. Her father, David Hatch, and her aunt, Rebecca Maesato, formed a nonprofit, the Foundation for Children in Need. Their Web site, children-in-need.us, describes how they spent about 21/2 years operating a guest home for orphanage volunteers in Port-au-Prince.

Britney Hatch joined her family in Haiti. She recalls an orphanage that had only a couple of workers for about 100 children.

"There was hardly any food," Britney Hatch says. "Hardly any toys. No books. The older kids -- 7 to 9 years old -- would end up taking care of the babies."

That orphanage didn't have enough plates, so it used Frisbees to distribute food to children.

Through their work, the family befriended a group of Haitian boys, and Maesato started the adoption process.

As political instability escalated into a rebellion and the exile of Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Maesato's family escaped. They eventually settled in Exeter with eight teen-age boys.

All since have moved on from Exeter. Maesato, a registered nurse, is back in Haiti assisting with the relief efforts. Eden Maesato, one of her Haitian sons, keeps tabs on her via e-mails with his adoptive sister.

Eden Maesato also heard from one of his biological brothers in Haiti. His family's home on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince was spared, but most of the neighborhood was destroyed.

"A lot of people I know died," says Eden Maesato, now 22 and living in Bountiful, Utah. "Every time I talk to him, my brother just says, 'There's no Haiti no more.' "

For her part, Britney Hatch says the earthquake has left her "absolutely devastated. My first thoughts were with those babies who were by themselves and the little children who didn't know what was going on."

For more information, talk to Hatch at her fundraisers. Red Cross representatives also will answer questions and collect donations from folks who can't stay for dinner or drinks.

Rio Grill's dinners will take place tonight at Sierra Vista Mall in Clovis and Thursday night at 104 E. Main Street, Visalia. Dinner times are 5:30-7 p.m. and 7:30-9 p.m. at both locations.

Dinners cost $23.95. Reservations are recommended; call (559) 322-6300 in Clovis and (559) 625-1155 in Visalia.